Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
An online retailer is redesigning its public web application so the web server can receive internet traffic, the application server can only be reached by the web tier, and the database server can only be reached by the application tier. Which placement best supports this design?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
Place all three servers on the same private subnet and control access only with strong passwords.
A shared subnet does not enforce tier separation. Strong passwords protect accounts, but they do not prevent a compromised web server from directly reaching the database server on the same network.
B
Best answer
Put the web server in a public zone, the application server in a private zone, and the database server in an isolated internal zone.
This tiered placement supports a classic defense-in-depth design. The web server is internet-facing, the application tier is not directly exposed, and the database is placed in the most restricted zone. Network rules then allow only the necessary north-south and east-west traffic between tiers.
C
Distractor review
Put the database in the public zone so the web tier can query it directly from the internet.
Databases should not be internet-facing in this architecture. Exposing the database directly would greatly increase risk and bypass the intended layered protection between the tiers.
D
Distractor review
Use a single reverse proxy for all three servers and disable network segmentation to simplify management.
A reverse proxy can help front-end traffic, but it does not replace network segmentation. Disabling segmentation removes the protective boundaries that prevent unnecessary lateral movement between tiers.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A laptop is suspected of being used in a malware incident. It is still powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. What should the responder do before shutting it down?
Question 2
An employee reports a ransomware note on a file server. The server is still powered on, shares are still being accessed, and management wants service restored as quickly as possible. What should the incident response team do first?
Question 3
An employee reports a ransomware note on a finance laptop. The laptop is still powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and the user says they were just working in a spreadsheet. Management wants the fastest safe response that also preserves evidence. What should the responder do first?
Question 4
You are handed a company laptop suspected in an insider theft case. Legal says the evidence may be needed in court. Which action best preserves admissibility?
Question 5
A developer wants to reduce the risk of SQL injection in a new customer search form. Which two changes are the best mitigations? Select two.
Question 6
A branch office uses a flat LAN, and a compromise on one user workstation could spread quickly to finance systems. Management wants finance workstations isolated from general users, but finance staff still need access to a central finance application and network printer. What is the best design change?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Put the web server in a public zone, the application server in a private zone, and the database server in an isolated internal zone. — The best placement is a public zone for the web server, a private zone for the application server, and a highly restricted internal zone for the database. This architecture matches the trust levels of each tier: public traffic hits only the web layer, the web layer is allowed to talk to the app layer, and the app layer alone can reach the database. That reduces exposure and limits lateral movement if one tier is compromised. Why others are wrong: Putting all tiers on one subnet weakens separation and makes lateral movement easier. Exposing the database publicly is unsafe and unnecessary. A reverse proxy may help with web traffic handling, but it does not eliminate the need for proper segmentation between application tiers.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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